Since 2001, there have been 1337 American troops killed while serving in Afghanistan, and since 2003, 4429 American troops killed while serving in Iraq. The IGTNT (I Got The News Today) title is a reminder that nearly every day, somebody gets the news that a friend, former classmate, or beloved family member will not be coming home from war.
Tonight we honor six more 101st Airborne soldiers, killed while
serving in Afghanistan:
Sgt. 1st Class Barry E. Jarvis, 36, of Tell City, Indiana
Staff Sgt. Curtis A. Oakes, 29, of Athens, Ohio
Spc. Matthew W. Ramsey, 20, of Quartz Hill, California
Pfc. Jacob A. Gassen, 21, of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Pfc. Austin G. Staggs, 19, of Weatherford, Texas
Pvt. Buddy W. McLain, 24, of Peru, Maine
Please take a moment below to remember them.
The Department of Defense announced the deaths of six
Fort Campbell soldiers in Nangarhar province, Afghanistan.
Killed were:
Sgt. 1st Class Barry Jarvis, Staff Sgt. Curtis Oakes,
Spc. Matthew Ramsey, Pfc. Jacob Gassen, Pfc. Austin Staggs, and Pvt. Buddy McLain
The men died November 29, of wounds suffered when they came under gunfire while conducting an artillery training mission in the Pachir Wa Agam district. The shooting incident at Combat Outpost Lonestar remains under investigation.
The six soldiers were assigned to Bravo Troop's field artillery, 1st Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), based in Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
Fort Campbell website Eagle Honors
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Sgt. 1st Class Barry E. Jarvis, 36,
of Tell City, Indiana
Sgt. 1st Class Jarvis was a Cavalry Scout who joined the Army in May 1999. He arrived at Fort Campbell in May 2009.
Barry Jarvis grew up in Perry County, Indiana, and graduated from Tell City High School in 1993. His family called him a "jack of all trades" who loved Harley Davidson motorcycles.
They also said he also loved and lived for his wife and kids. Jarvis got married and started a family before he chose the Army as a career.
Over his twelve years in the military, Jarvis and family were stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky; Fort Riley, Kansas; and Fort Lewis, Washington.
Sgt. 1st Class Jarvis also served overseas in south Korea, as well as a tour in Iraq, and a tour in Afghanistan.
While Sgt. Jarvis was stationed at Fort Campbell, he was living in Clarksville, Tennessee with his wife, and their four children, ranging in age from 2 to 17 years.
After performing his wartime duty, Jarvis wanted to change assignments in order to stay stateside, to spend more time with his family.
His friend told the Perry County News,
He was primarily a cavalry scout, but had undergone training to become a drill sergeant "because he wanted to be home, close to his family."
On August 23, 2010, Sgt. 1st Class Jarvis deployed with the 101st for his second tour to Afghanistan.
While away from home, he kept in touch with his family and friends on his Facebook page.
It was there his heartbroken wife wrote:
"Today is the day that they are bringing Barry home. He will be brought in
at Dover Delaware at the airfield. I miss you so much Barry."
Sgt. 1st Class Jarvis' many awards are for his longtime service and duty in Korea, Iraq, and Afghanistan. A few of the decorations are the Meritorious Service Medal, Combat Action Badge and Air Assault Badge, and other awards.
Among those Sgt. 1st Class Jarvis leaves behind are his wife, two daughters and two sons. He is also survived by his father in Atlantic Beach, Florida, and mother of Tell City, Indiana, and his brother and sister.
Sgt. 1st Class Barry Jarvis is missed. May He Rest in Peace.
sources: the indychannel; indycom; WFIE news; wave3
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Staff Sgt. Curtis A. Oakes, 29,
of Athens, Ohio
Staff Sgt. Oakes was a Fire Support Specialist who joined the Army in March 2003. He arrived at Fort Campbell in September 2004.
Curtis Oakes' mother said he wanted to join the military after 911, when he felt a calling to serve his country.
Curtis was a native of Athens County, Ohio, and graduated from Alexander High School. He also attended Hockings College, earning two degrees.
Staff Sgt. Oakes was married, and had a daughter from a previous relationship, who lives in Wisconsin.
After joining the Army in 2003, Staff Sgt. Oakes served a tour overseas in south Korea. He also served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Staff Sgt. Oakes was living with his wife, son and step-son in Clarksville, Tennessee while he was stationed at Fort Campbell.
He was on his second tour of duty in Afghanistan when he was killed.
Staff Sgt. Oakes' received medals for service and duty in Korea, Iraq, and Afghanistan, as well as awards like the Driver and Mechanic Badge; Combat Action Badge and Air Assault Badge, and other decorations.
Among those Staff Sgt. Oakes leaves behind are his wife, son and step-son; his daughter; and his parents in Athens, Ohio.
Staff Sgt. Curtis Oakes is missed. May He Rest in Peace.
sources: WSAZ; dailynews
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We Remember Them
In the rising of the sun and its going down,
We Remember Them.
In the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter,
We Remember Them.
In the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of spring,
We Remember Them.
In the blueness of the skies and in the warmth of
summer, We Remember Them.
In the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of autumn,
We Remember Them.
In the beginning of the year and when it ends,
We Remember Them.
When we are weary and in need of strength,
We Remember Them.
When we are lost and sick of heart,
We Remember Them.
When we have joys and special celebrations we yearn to share,
We Remember Them.
So long as we live, they too shall live, for they are part of us.
We Remember Them.
~From the Jewish Book Of Prayer~
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Spc. Matthew W. Ramsey, 20,
of Quartz Hill, California
Spc. Ramsey was an Infantryman who joined the Army in April 2008. He arrived at Fort Campbell in September 2008.
Matt Ramsey comes from Quartz Hill, California, an unincorporated community west of Lancaster. The southern California community in Antelope Valley has about 9,000 residents.
Matt graduated from Quartz Hill High School in 2008, and joined the Army.
He had a baby son and young wife to provide for in Lancaster, and he looked to the Army for a career.
Spc. Ramsey arrived in Afghanistan for his first deployment in August.
Spc. Ramsey's awards and decorations include Overseas Service Ribbon; NATO Medal and Air Assault Badge, and others.
Among those Spc. Ramsey leaves behind are his wife and 2 year-old son Zachary of Lancaster, and his parents in Quartz Hill.
Spc. Matthew Ramsey is missed. May He Rest In Peace.
source: LA Times blogs; Daily News
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Pfc. Jacob A. Gassen, 21,
of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Pfc. "Doc" Gassen was a Combat Medic who joined the Army in September 2009. He arrived at Fort Campbell in April 2010.
Jake Gassen grew up in the small town of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, where he loved to go skiing and tubing on Green Lake.
Jake graduated from Beaver Dam High School in 2008 and studied nursing. About a year later, he had enlisted in the Army to help further his career as a registered nurse.
Pfc. Gassen left Beaver Dam in July for his deployment. He called home when he could, and Sunday was the last time father and son talked to one another.
"What he said to me was I can't wait to come home, Dad.
I really miss you guys. I can't wait to get home. I'm homesick,"
Greg Gassen says of the conversation with his son, Jacob, at NBC15.
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"He was one of those guys when you were in a room he was always the peacemaker ...
always the guy who everybody looked up to and he was that type of guy, if you were out of line,
he would straighten you out," Greg Gassen says of his son at NBC15.
Pfc. Gassen just turned 21 on November 19, and was due back home in January on leave. The family was working on a party that would combine a birthday and Christmas celebration when he returned.
Instead the family traveled to Dover Air Force Base for a ceremony to return the remains of their only son.
Pfc. Gassen's awards include National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Army Service Ribbon and other decorations.
Among those Pfc. Gassen leaves behind are his parents and friends in Beaver Dam.
Pfc. Jacob A. Gassen is missed. May He Rest In Peace.
Source: Beaver Dam Daily Citizen
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Pfc. Austin G. Staggs, 19,
of Weatherford, Texas
Pfc. Staggs was a Fire Support Specialist who joined the Army in September 2009 and arrived at Fort Campbell in February 2010.
Austin Staggs was an avid hunter who was born in Fort Worth, Texas. He grew up as the only child in Weatherford, Texas, where he attended Weatherford High School. Austin graduated from North Hills Private School in Millsap in 2008.
Pfc. Staggs was married, and he and his wife lived in Clarksville while he was stationed at Fort Campbell. He also had a young son from a previous relationship, who lived in Weatherford.
Pfc. Staggs deployed to Afghanistan with the 101st Airborne in August. He hoped to return to Weatherford for R&R in January for his 20th birthday.
The Star-Telegram also reported:
Army Pfc. Austin Staggs tried to call his mom during the Thanksgiving holiday.
But his mother and stepfather were on a deer hunting trip and missed his
cellphone call. Pfc. Staggs would have understood, no doubt, since no one
loved a good hunt more than he did.
That missed conversation became even more heartbreaking for Pfc. Staggs'
family when the Army went to his mother's house in Parker County to inform
her that her only child was gone.
"My daughter was just crushed that she didn't get to talk to him,"
Pfc. Staggs' grandmother said.
"But I told her: 'You've got his voice on your phone now.
You can listen to him anytime you want.'"
His grandmother said she spent time reading messages posted to her grandson's
Facebook page and finding comfort in how much others thought of him.
Pfc. Staggs wife and family traveled to Dover Air Force Base to meet his casket. His awards include the Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon and NATO Medal, and others.
Among those Pfc. Staggs leaves behind are his wife; his son; his grandmother, his father in Senoia, Georgia, and mother in Weatherford, Texas.
Pfc. Austin G. Staggs is missed. May He Rest in Peace.
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Pvt. Buddy W. McLain, 24,
of Peru, Maine
Pvt. McLain was a Cavalry Scout who joined the Army in May 2009 and arrived at Fort Campbell in October 2009.
Family recall Buddy McLain as "a good, young man who liked to hunt, fish, camp and spend time with friends. He would do anything for family," his uncle said.
Buddy McLain grew up in western Maine, where his family lived in Berlin when he and his two brothers were young children. They moved to Mexico, Maine, where his parents still live, while other family members still live in Berlin.
In 2006, Buddy graduated from Mountain Valley High School in nearby Rumford. He got married, and with the difficult economy in rural America, Buddy worked various jobs in construction. Eager to make something of his life and prove doubters wrong, he joined the Army.
"Employment being hard, Buddy looked to the military as a way to provide," said his uncle. "He joined the military to give his family a better life."
Not only was the Army a means of income, but his uncle also said,
"He was patriotic. He believed in his country."
"We're very proud of him. We're sad, obviously, but proud."
Union Leader
Buddy and his wife, Chelsea, moved from Mexico to Peru, Maine, and she stayed there while he was stationed at Fort Campbell. After completing basic training, he returned home for 30 days this spring and met his baby son, Owen, for the first time.
Chelsea lived in Peru, Maine with their son, while Pvt. McLain deployed on June 27 to Afghanistan for three to six months on his first tour.
In the sun-journal, his wife Chelsea said life wasn't going to be the same without her husband.
"He was my high school sweetheart," she said. "It was hard being in the military and being apart so long, but I'm so thankful we have a son together. I can watch him grow up. It's so hard knowing that I'm going to grow old without him."
"He knew he was going to come home a hero; we just didn't want it to be this way."
McLain said her husband last spoke with them shortly before heading out on a mission he said was going to be dangerous.
"He called my son a couple weeks ago — our son — and he said how proud he was of him, and how he couldn't wait to come home and go sledding and build snowmen," she said.
Pvt. McLain's received awards and decorations including National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal and NATO Medal, and others.
Among those Pvt. McLain leaves behind are his wife and 15-month old son. He is also survived by his parents and two brothers.
Pvt. Buddy McLain is missed. May He Rest in Peace.
other source:
Press Herald
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Photos Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Thanks to Timroff for our faithfully lighted candle IGTNT logo;
(Other Photos by CalNM)
Helping our troops:
If you wish to assist our military and their families, consider Operation Helmet, or sponsoring a deployed service member at TroopCarePackage.com.
Fisher House provides housing for families of injured troops and veterans who are recovering in hospitals, and Guardian angels for soldierspet assists the animal companions of our deployed military.
When our veterans come back home, they can find support at Welcome Back Veterans.
Our recently returned veterans need jobs, and Veterans Green Jobs is now hiring for positions and filling training sessions. VGJ corps retrains veterans as leaders in forest and resource conservation, green construction, and energy efficient upgrades of homes in rural areas. Encourage a Veteran, and see if you can help out.
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About the IGTNT series: I Got the News Today is intended to honor, respect, and remember the fallen, and to remind us that each casualty has family and friends who received the terrible news that their loved one has died at war.
Diaries about the fallen usually appear two days after their names are officially released, which allows time for the IGTNT team to find and tell their stories. The US Department of Defense news releases are found at defense gov/releases. Icasualties lists the names of those killed, and shows the number of wounded. Published AP photos of the returning war fatalities are found on the Dover AFB page.
Click the IGTNT tags below for previous diaries in the series which was begun by i dunno, and which is maintained by monkeybiz, noweasels, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, joyful, roses, SisTwo, a girl in MI, Spam Nunn, JeNoCo, Janos Nation, True Blue Majority, Proud Mom and Grandma, Sandy on Signal, Wide Awake in Kentucky, Ms Wings, maggiejean, racheltracks, ccasas, JaxDem, and me, CalNM. These diaries are heartbreaking to write, but are an important service to those who have died, and show our community’s respect for our fallen brothers and sisters.
Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and
family of the service members chronicled here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.